sound cards...

[mnkeybsness]

does anyone know if there are any sound cards out there that i can put into my powermac and are os x 10.2 compatible...i haven't found any...and recommendations would be greatly appreciated...i'm looking for a sound card because i need a line-out to plug into my stereo...the headphone jack just doesn't cut it...

[vniow]

If you've got a S/PDIF input, you can use the Sonica from M-Audio, and if you don't trythe Hi-fi link from Xitel (http://xitel.com/)
Both are USB, but if you don't want to go that route, Creative labs has a 4.1 Soundblaster for the Mac, but like all Soundblasters, does 44.1khz to 48.1khz resampling, so avoid them if you can, otherwise go for a USB one. They're free from internal computer noise and you don't have to install any drivers for them and they should work in Jaguar.

[Rower_CPU]

The Creative card is still only for OS 9. *sigh*

Maybe one day Apple will have digital inputs/outputs built-in...

[mnkeybsness]

Originally posted by edvniow
S/PDIF

a WHAT?

[mueng]

Originally posted by mnkeybsness


a WHAT?

S/PDIF =optical in/out. As opposed to coxial or analog.

[mnkeybsness]

i do have an optical in...but i would rather not use that for my computer since it is already being used by my dvd player...

i've got a question about that Xitel Hi-Fi...

• Mac OS 9.0.4 or later running Apple Audio Extension 1.0.5 or later

so will this work with os X???? it says it works with iTunes also...but it mentions nothing about os X

[vniow]

The Xitel should work with any OSX version past 10.1.2 or one of those updates, I can't remember which one enabled USB audio, but it should work. You still can use S/PDIF if you get a little switch box at Radio Shack, but if music is all you're going to listen to with it, just get the Xitel. The Sonica's mostly for 5.1 output, although it would sound better through the S/PDIF. Oh do you have a coaxial input on your reciever? If so, you can get a USB to coaxial box to plug in to your reciever. :)

[D0ct0rteeth]

i have the sonica and it is great. There is no better option out there.

insidemacgames.com will be having a review of it soon. check it out.

[mnkeybsness]

hey thanks everybody...

...i think i'm going to get the Xitel HiFi...mainly because it's only for music...i don't watch dvds on my computer because i've got a high quality dvd player and i don't do all that much gaming.

[Tiauguinho]

One question:


I've got my PowerMac connected to my stereo by a cable that plugs into the phones port and plugs again into the AUX IN of my stereo. I don't have any complaints about it, the stereo is awsome and gives me a excelent sound( The music even sounds better when played from itunes than the CD)! If I bought a SoundCard would I notice any difference at all, playing music or playing a Wolfenstein??

[mnkeybsness]

right now i'm doing the same thing as you are...but i have a 5.1 setup (though i just want to run 2.1 for my itunes) and i get a low frequency tone coming through my subwoofer that is annoying as hell because of the small wattage output for the headphones